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Benefit fraudster Kevin Stevens had £16k in bank

AN EAST Yorkshire benefit fraudster who claimed more than £11,500 which he was not entitled to has been punished.

Kevin Stevens, 55, of Kirkland Street, Pocklington, failed to declare more than £16,000 held in several undisclosed bank accounts while claiming council tax benefit and Jobseekers’ Allowance between August 2009 and November 2012.

He will have to repay the £11,632.20 he fraudulently claimed.

He also received a 12-month community punishment order after admitting dishonestly making false statements to East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, who held a joint investigation into his claims.

Jeff Taylor, the council’s principal fraud investigation and enforcement officer, said: “We are committed to safeguarding public funds and ensuring money goes to those who genuinely need it, not the dishonest minority.”